Mosquitoes are truly annoying. They are hard to get rid of and they are actually pretty dangerous insects. They spread serious diseases that have affected or killed millions. It is rumored that malaria, which is spread by mosquitoes has killed off half of the world’s population that ever lived. This is a rumor, and it would be impossible to prove. However, mosquitoes are dangerous little buggers. The rise of the Zika virus and other serious diseases that could kill those with weakened immune systems make them enemy #1. But don’t worry, because science has found an even more dangerous solution. Fighting insects with a Chernobyl type weapon.
Can’t We Just Kill All the Mosquitoes?
The biggest problem with mosquitoes is that you can’t kill them all. Actually, killing all the mosquitoes on the planet could cause a serious ripple in the circle of life. Fighting the disease spreading insects has become more of a challenge. Mosquito diseases are spreading due to globalization and climate change. They are also becoming immune to insecticides. The diseases they transmit are becoming drug resistant. It is a vicious and deadly cycle. And we can’t kill them off. If the mosquito became extinct, so do their larvae. This would essentially kill off other insects and small fish. Thus, the ripple would continue. So if we can’t kill them all, what can we do?
Chernobyl Bug Zapper
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations published a neat little YouTube video recently. Unfortunately, it only has 38 views at the moment. But should have more, considering the nuclear science involved. The new plan against mosquitoes and their diseases is the Sterile Insect Technique or SIT. It is essentially a Chernobyl birth control shot for insects. The Chernobyl weapon has had success for farm and ranch insects. Now science wants to use it on mosquitoes. The video explains that male mosquito factories will sterilize millions of mosquitoes with radiation before releasing them into the wild. This will slowly decrease the insect’s population.
This can’t be Safe
The UN usually has good ideas when dealing with epidemics and other disease related issues. A Chernobyl mosquito laser beam seems a bit out of character for world agency. Is lighting up a bunch of confined male mosquitoes safe? What will the radiation do? Darwin insisted that evolution always prevails in animals. This would include insects. Insects could adapt to the radiation and become some sort of super insect carrying a super disease. Case in point. The Chernobyl wolves that still live in the danger zone.
